Anonymous wrote:It's great if you must be in the DC area for job reasons.

Or if you don't want to use a car. I WAH, but I wanted to walk everywhere, be close to DC and have great public schools. Of course--you can do this from other Rosslyn/Clarendon/VASquare/Ballston neighborhoods as well. House/lot size is not as important to me as being able to walk everywhere--even in the middle of snowmaggedon things did not shut down and we were going to gym, restaurants, grocery stores and bookstores when family members didn't have power and couldn't get out for over a week. We also don't do lawn work so a smaller lot is better for us. Is it the prettiest in the area, no. But- every house is different. There is visual interest and lots of old trees and many pretty older homes.

If you are a 'city' person you'll love it because you don't need a car. If you are a big house, huge yard, car lover/hate to walk--not so much.

Anonymous wrote:Great. All great information. Very good info esp. about the schools. Prices are VERY high, though! Yikes!

I bought just a few years ago and don't think I could afford it now! We plan to stay until kids get through high school so not as worried about fluctuations---maybe it will level out for awhile. I think we did buy at a slight lull right before it got super crazy. Good luck!

It's great if you must be in the DC area for job reasons.

But it's so....not worth it.

Great. All great information. Very good info esp. about the schools. Prices are VERY high, though! Yikes!

Anonymous wrote:OP here...thanks for the awesome responses. We're not planning on a move for a couple of years, so this is great to have on my radar. I'm also interested in the public schools. Does Science Focus feed from this neighborhood? thanks!

You seriously need to start your search at least one year prior to your move and be ready to pounce. When something good comes on the market it is gone very quick with multiple offers. Also- many things get sold off the market so it may be worth using a realtor exclusive for the neighborhood that has knowledge of potential sellers (and I am not pro-realtor--we didn't use one for either of our home purchases.

Anonymous wrote:OP here...thanks for the awesome responses. We're not planning on a move for a couple of years, so this is great to have on my radar. I'm also interested in the public schools. Does Science Focus feed from this neighborhood? thanks!

Part of it does. It will say "key elementary" if it is guaranteed admission to Science Focus. Key is the Spanish immersion elem. they can't force people to do immersion so if you are zoned for Key you get automatic admission to Science Focus if you prefer it. The other elementary school in the neighborhood is "Taylor" which also is an excellent school. Swanson is the middle school. W-L is the high school. They are all very good.

OP here...thanks for the awesome responses. We're not planning on a move for a couple of years, so this is great to have on my radar. I'm also interested in the public schools. Does Science Focus feed from this neighborhood? thanks!

OP - I'd also try to buy on a street that isn't Highland. Highland gets lots of traffic, as it is a great cut-through from Lee Hwy to Wilson Blvd and the shops in Clarendon. (I'm guilty of that.) Most of the other streets are less trafficked, though. Great neighborhood! I will never be able to afford it unless I win the lottery, but I would live there in a heartbeat.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks!
Does it seem like neighbors know/rely on one another? I've been really spoiled with that being in GP, and it has kept us in the neighborhood!

Neighbors are INCREDIBLY close! There are 4th of July parades, Easter Egg hunt, Xmas party with Santa, Spaghetti dinners, etc. We have block parties. Huge Xmas parties. Our street has an impromptu--kids running through the yards and adult happy hour/grill or delivery just about every weekend. You will find people chatting on walks. Since it is so walkable and has great parks you run into your neighbors all of the time.

I heard it had an 'attitude' when I moved from DC here. That couldn't be farther from the truth. Very down-to-earth people that look out for one another. I used to live up near you and you will find it more walkable--and metro.

The downside is that inventory is very low. Many houses are sold 'word-of-mouth'. It took us (and many neighbors) a 1.5 years to find a place. You might also want to check out 'Ashton Heights' and 'Lyon Park' if you end up liking the Clarendon area. They are on the other side---LV is on Wilson Blvd side. They are also very great communities.

Thanks!
Does it seem like neighbors know/rely on one another? I've been really spoiled with that being in GP, and it has kept us in the neighborhood!

Good schools, close in, and walkable to kid stuff and adult stuff. I've only got the first and last here in Leesburg.

Love it! Metro to clarendon and then walk the hood one afternoon. Great schools, parks, convenience. Small lots, expensive, and hard to find homes for sale.

Here's your chance Miss Nasty McLean....

I'm a city dweller (Glover Park rowhouse) and we absolutely love the convenience and neighborhoody-ness, but are outgrowing our digs. The folks who talked about Lyon Village being overrated piqued my interest in that community--we have never thought of leaving DC, but LV sounded very interesting! Can anyone speak to the community?